Searching for a Contractor: 3 Things That Help

Nothing is stopping you from hiring a contractor straight out of the phone book. It's easy, it doesn't take a lot of effort, and you have a decent chance of finding someone good. But is it really the best way to go about it? Definitely not. If you ever watch your local news, you've probably seen the horror stories: Homeowners locked in battle with their construction workers, electricians, or pool builders and never-ending nightmares that can only be solved by going into litigation. While some of the scenarios were probably unavoidable, how many times do you see the following scene: the newscaster says, "Our research found that this isn't the first time this particular guy has been the focus of controversy," or something to that effect. In other words, with some diligence and research, the homeowner could have avoided the situation entirely. Here's how you can avoid getting on the 5 o'clock news.

Read Reviews

Even ten years ago, it would have been difficult to find reviews for service workers. Today, however, there's no excuse not to go online and see what people have to say. While smaller cities may not have the reviews and resources of a New York City, you should be able to find something you can use. Check these sites and see if there are any companies that get consistently high marks. Check with the Better Business Bureau and see if any companies are at the center of complaints. Go into real life and talk with your friends, family, and co-workers. Talk to your neighbors. Make finding a good contractor your part time job for the next week or so.

Set Up Several Appointments

Don't just hire the first contractor you come across, even if you found them through positive reviews. If you do that, you have no basis for comparison. Perhaps you instantly fell in love with the first company you met with. That's fine. They aren't going anywhere. But you should give yourself the peace of mind that comes with being thorough. Set up some other appointments. Get some estimates. You can't make an informed decision without all the information. After meeting with several companies, you may find that the luster on that first meeting wears away to a dull shine.

Ask Questions

A contractor cannot do his best work in a vacuum. Anyone who has been in this line of work for a long time can probably remodel a kitchen in his sleep. But it's going to be a stock job that has little to do with your expectations. If you ask questions and make your opinion known, however, you can work with the designer and make sure you get exactly what you want.